Acupuncture for Cancer

Effective Supportive & Survivorship Treatments for Cancer

Nancy Rakela, OMD, LAc, has given supportive treatment to many cancer patients. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be utilized before, during and after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. It is very effective in reducing the side effects of these treatments. Western medicine removes and aggressively attacks the cancer. Acupuncture and herbal medicine provide supportive treatment helping heal and strengthen the patient's body, mind, and spirit.

Treatment room: hanging quilt and a calming atmosphereDuring cancer treatment, the supportive treatment of acupuncture and herbal medicine:

  • Promotes the healing of wounds and prevents the formation of scar tissue,
  • Enhances lymphatic flow to help prevent lymphedema,
  • Strengthens digestive function to help prevent or treat nausea and vomiting,
  • Enhances the immune system to help maintain a good white blood cell count which may decrease with successive chemotherapy treatments,
  • Protects the organs, such as the heart, from cardiac toxicity due to the chemotherapy,
  • Helps restore health and prolongs survival,
  • Treats other diseases resulting from the cancer treatment or from the cancer itself.

Cancer Survivorship

Once you have been diagnosed with cancer, your life changes forever. Using preventive acupuncture for comorbid diseases earlier will improve the survival and quality of life of patients who have survived or later develop cancer.

Following cancer treatment there are potential side effects of therapy. Nancy Rakela, OMD, LAc has experience treating the following:

  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Dyspnea
  • Fatigue
  • Hearing and Balance
  • Heart Disease
  • Hypertension
  • Infertility
  • Incontinence
  • Kidney issues
  • Lung Issues
  • Lymphedema
  • Obesity
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pain
  • Stress
  • Stroke
  • Vision